-BLOCKIFY command

Converts identical sets of entities (2D or 3D) to block references via Command line.

BricsCAD Lite; BricsCAD Pro; BricsCAD Mechanical; BricsCAD BIM

Description

Searches the drawing for identical sets of entities (2D or 3D) and replaces them with block references.

Method

There are four methods to use the BLOCKIFY command:

  • Detect matches with selected entities
  • Detect matches with existing blocks
  • Detect equal 3D solids
  • Detect collections (of 3D solids/block references and 2D block references)

Dependent on the selected mode, different follow-up questions and advanced options are presented.

Note: To replace block patterns by arrays of entities, use the ARRAYDETECT command. See the ARRAYDETECT command related article.

Select the desired method, source entities and search space. Set the options and tolerance as needed. The options displayed are relevant for the selected method and entities and reflect the BLOCKIFYMODE and BLOCKIFYTOLERANCE system variables settings (see the related articles).

The default mode is to detect matches with selected entities. This mode searches the drawing (or the selection) for recurring 2D/3D geometry and converts them to block references. Select the source entities, select the search space, select a block insertion point (for new block definitions) and specify a block name.

Options within the command

match Equal solids

Searches the drawing (or the selection) for equally shaped solids and converts them to block references (new block definitions). In case a solid matches an existing block definition, the replacing block reference points to that block definition.

Note: This option is not available in the BricsCAD Lite license level.
Entire drawing
Selects the entire drawing as a search space.
find Collections
Searches the drawing (or the selection) for sets of identical collections of:
  • 3D solids and/or 3D block references
  • 2D block references
Entire drawing
Selects the entire drawing as a search space.
Create
Replaces the collections within the selected set with block references of the new definition.
cAncel
Ends the command.
Recalculate

Recalculates the collection sets taking into account the newly created block reference (some previously found collection sets configurations might no longer be available).

Note: With a large number of input entities, calculating all possible collections can take a long time. Press the Esc key to cancel the calculation at any time, and then select from the collection sets found so far.
match existing Blocks

Searches the drawing (or the selection) for matches to existing block definitions present in the drawing and converts them to block references.

Entire drawing
Selects the entire drawing as a search space.
check Library

Allows you to specify the block definitions search location.

Library
Search for source blocks in the blocks library.
select Folder
Indicate the custom file/folder path to search the source blocks.
Entire drawing
Selects the entire drawing as a search space.